This is a round table discussion. The Bozeman School District is seeking information on ways their Special Education Department could better partner with families, community child care providers and community agencies in meeting the developmental needs of preschool-aged children. Learn more about how children are identified for special education and how the school district uses a team approach to identify a child’s needs and services. Discuss ways the District could partner with families and the community, to provide the supports necessary to help children with developmental concerns be successful in their current environments with typically developing peers.
Welcome To Our Blog!
We have added this blog to bring you the most current, up-to-date supportive information possible! This feature will serve as a platform for early childhood providers to communicate with others alike in the community, along with support staff here at Child Care Connections. We highly encourage you to post questions and real-life experiences for others to draw from.
Round Table Discussion: Bozeman School District Special Education Department’s Partnership with Early Childhood Educators
March 12th, 2010Calling Volunteers for Emergency Preparedness!
March 2nd, 2010Child Care Connections is in the process of creating an Emergency Preparedness Plan to provide a Child Care Center for Rescue and Relief Workers in the event of a disaster. This plan is designed to service the counties of Gallatin, Meagher and Park. We are calling upon providers in the Early Childhood Community to volunteer their services. There are several ways you can volunteer:
- Time – We are in need of many volunteers to staff the Child Care Center in the event of a disaster.
- Equipment – We will need extra equipment brought to our site in the case of an emergency (ex. cots, high chairs, port-a-cribs, educational and play materials.)
If you are interested in being a volunteer, please call Stacy Wesen at Child Care Connections 587-7786 or send a comment to this blog post.
Media Discussion for Parents and Providers
February 16th, 2010The Montana Nutrition and Physical Activity Program will be hosting a discussion regarding children and media on February 18 @ 5:30 pm in MSU SUB conference room 234. They are interested in hearing the thoughts of parents and child care providers while sharing some of their knowledge. If you are interested, contact Jennifer Nerison Montague at jnerison@hotmail.com or 994-4103. Healhty snacks and refreshments will be provided!
Annual CACFP Trainings Scheduled
February 11th, 2010Child Care Connections will host 3 annual CACFP Required trainings in April. We are offering a few more opportunities for this training this year to keep the class sizes smaller, which we’ve found allows for better discussions. Please call us to sign up for one of these class options:
April 20, 2010 – Manhattan High Acitivity room – 6:30 to 8:30 pm
April 27, 2010 – Child Care Connections – 6:30 to 8:30 pm (we will be in our new location at this time)
April 29, 2010 – Mackenzie River Pizza, Belgrade – 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Basic Inclusion Practices and Policies for Early Childhood Training on 2/16/10
February 10th, 2010Presented by Nannette DuCuennois of Child Care Connections. Inclusion embodies the values, policies, and practices that support the rights of every infant, y0ung child and his or her family. An inclusive child care means you consider the interests, strengths, and needs of every child and meaningfully address them for each child. Learn what an inclusive program looks like and how this applies to your program. Create a program where meeting the needs of every child is a natural part of everyday life. If you would like to attend this training on 2/16/10 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. call Child Care Connections and get registered! Hope to see you there!
Sign up for Super Saturday with Becca Johnson of Performance Kids! January 30, 2010, 9a – 1p.
December 29th, 2009
Did you know?
The National Association for Sport and Physical Education recommends that preschool-aged children (ages 2-5) receive at least 60 minutes of structured physical activity a day to foster healthy development.
Performance Kids can help keep your preschool child active!
Performance Kids is a creative service dedicated to encouraging physical activity among preschool-aged children through fun, engaging, non-competitive educational lessons. The goal is to promote a healthy lifestyle that will include positive choices and encourage children to participate in physical activity for a lifetime.
Lessons emphasize: Body control, athleticism, and gross motor skills.
Educators learn: How to integrate educational concepts with noncompetitive physical activities. The training will also cover the importance of proper nutrition and exercise to optimize mental and physical development.
This training covers the Health, Safety and Nutrition content area in the knowledge base.
- A bit about the trainer: Becca Johnson holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Enhancement from Montana State University and is certified to teach K-12 Health and Physical Education. Check out the website for more information:
- http://www.performance-kids.com/main/performance-kids/
Children’s Christmas Shoppe
November 12th, 2009What: A Christmas Shop designed to help children (in need) between the ages of 4-10 give gifts to their family members. It is advised that children come with a list of their intended gift recipients and will be assisted in selecting and wrapping up to five gifts.
When: Saturday, December 5th from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Where: Hope Lutheran Church, located at 2152 West Graf….586-5572
Annual CACFP Training Rescheduled
November 12th, 2009The Annual Required CACFP Training that was scheduled for tonight, November 12, has been rescheduled for December 8th, 2009 and will be held at Child Care Connections from 6:30 – 8:30 pm.
Mini Grants!!!
October 22nd, 2009As of October 1, 2009, Child Care Connections (CCC) is authorized to convene a mini-grant review committee to review and award or deny mini-grants and infant/toddler mini-grants for Gallatin, Park and Meagher Counties.
Mini-grants are of two types – regular and infant/toddler. The maximum award for a family/group home facility is $1,000 and $1,500 for a center, although smaller amounts may be applied for and/or awarded. The committee may award less than the amount requested in an application in order to share the funding among other programs.
Applications will be due on the 1st of each month. Applicants who do not meet any of the levels of priority listed below, can still apply and may receive grant funds if funding allows. Levels of priority for mini-grants are outlined below (Level # 1 is the highest priority & Level # 3 is the lowest priority):
Level #1: Registration/Licensing
- New providers who have recently become registered/licensed. (Must be in business under one year).
- Facilities that need to meet licensing compliance issues such as funds needed for a full year of insurance, egress windows, play equipment, etc. CCC will further prioritize any facility that has been referred to CCC for Technical Assistance by QAD for licensing violations.
Level #2: Equipment
- Business equipment such as a computer to manage CACFP claims and customer billing.
Level #3: Professional Development
- Professional Development, particularly courses necessary to meet STAR One requirements and to assist with year one professional development plans.
- Practitioner registry fees for caregivers not formally in STARS.
- To assist in continual quality improvement or to meet additional requirements to move up in STARS or to achieve national accreditation.
CCC will retain a record of applicants, the date of application, the amount requested, purpose requested and approval or denial.
Important To Remember
- You MUST be a registered/licensed or provisionally registered/licensed child care provider in order to apply.
- You MUST be a registered member of the Early Childhood Career Development Practitioner Registry. You can start your application at http://www.mtecp.org/practitioner.html or contact Marlena at CCC for more info.
- You must remain in business as a licensed/registered child care provider for a period of 12 months from the award date or agree to return all grant funds received.
- Briefly explain why you are requesting the funds on the application form. Use the table provided to itemize the cost and description of the items and submit this along with your application.
- If you are awarded a mini-grant, you will be required to submit receipts to the state in order to be reimbursed for the items you purchase. DO NOT send receipts to CCC.
- Items MAY NOT be purchased prior to the time that the mini-grant is awarded to your program.
- Appeal rights are not available for mini-grant decisions.
Form available for download on Provider Services web page, or feel free to stop in our office for hard copies.
Merit Pay I Opened for a Second Round!!
October 1st, 2009
Merit Pay I has been opened for a 2nd round! The applications must be completed and received at the Montana Early Childhood Project office, no later than 5:00 p.m, November 6, 2009. Notification of award or denial of Merit Pay I will be mailed by November 13, 2009.
http://www.mtecp.org/whatsnew.html
If the link does not take you to the application, copy and paste into your browser. Please contact the Early Childhood Project or Early Childhood Services Bureau with questions related to Merit Pay I.